Sweet synthesis, precise outcomes: asymmetric catalysis using carbohydrate-based organocatalysts

Abstract

Carbohydrates, as one of the most abundant biomolecules found in nature, are cost-effective and environmentally biocompatible and hold considerable potential for enhancing the stereoselectivity of asymmetric transformations. These abundant natural molecules were identified as a versatile molecular scaffold in organic synthesis and have made the transition from obscurity to prominence in the 21st century. Their unique characteristics, including structural diversity, high optical purity, manifold functional groups, and ease of structural variation, make them a desirable framework for developing organocatalysts that can improve the efficiency and selectivity of relevant asymmetric reactions. The objective of this review is to provide the reader with a thorough understanding of recent advances in the synthesis and application of nitrogen-containing carbohydrate-derived compounds as organocatalysts, while also offering insights into emerging directions and future prospects within this evolving field.